Rising 6th Grade • Summer 2019

Blended The Boy, The Bird, & The by Sharon M. Draper Coffin Maker Piano-prodigy Isabella, eleven, whose by Matilda Woods black father and white mother struggle Alberto, the town's coffin maker, and to share custody, never feels whole, Tito, a runaway boy, both lonely after especially as racial tensions affect her suffering tragic losses, learn the power school, her parents both become of friendship as they try to escape the engaged, and she and her stepbrother shadows of their pasts. are stopped by police. The Last-Day-of-Summer Bloom by Lamar Giles by Nicola Skinner When two adventurous cousins Sorrel Fallowfield is so good at being accidentally extend the last day of good that teachers come to her when summer by freezing time, they discover they need help remembering the school that the secrets they find hidden rules. Luckily, Sorrel doesn’t have any between the unmoving seconds, trouble following them, until the day she minutes and hours are not as much fun discovers a faded packet of Surprising as expected. Seeds buried under a tree in her backyard. Now she’s hearing voices, seeing things, Out of Left Field experiencing an almost unstoppable urge to plant the seeds in some very unusual places. by Ellen Klages Disguising herself as a boy to try out for the 1958 Little League season, Diary of an Awesome talented 10-year-old Katy easily makes Friendly Kid : Rowley the team but is immediately ousted Jefferson's Journal when her sercret is discovered, by Jeff Kinney prompting her to tap her classroom Greg Heffley's best friend and knowledge of the burgeoning Civil biographer shares first-person insights Rights Movement to prove that girls can do anything into their middle-school experiences that boys can do. By the award-winning author of The while making a decided mess of Greg's Green Glass Sea. life story. By the award-winning creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Pizzasaurus Rex by Justin Wagner The Gauntlet After inventing a device that allows Rex by Karuna Riazi Raditude, the Pizzasaurus, to enter his Sucked into a mechanical board game dimension, Jeremy Duderman finds and forced to defeat its diabolical himself on the frontline when Rex is architect in order to free themselves followed by Emperor Buzzkill and his and others trapped with them, 12-year- horde of minions. old Farah and her two best friends receive assistance from a lizard guide and an aeronaut while battling fantastical beasts and solving difficult puzzles.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Page 1 of 5 Rising 6th Grade • Summer 2019

Fing Squirm by David Walliams by Carl Hiaasen Myrtle Meek has everything she could This summer, Billy will fly across the possibly want. But everything isn't country, hike a mountain, float a enough. She wants more, more, more! river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot When Myrtle declares she wants a fing, down a spy drone, save a neighbor's there's only one problem. What is a cat, save an endangered panther, and fing? Mr and Mrs Meek will do anything then try to save his own father who to keep their darling daughter happy. left him when he was three. Their desperate quest leads to the depths of the jungliest jungle where the rarest creatures can be Caterpillar Summer found. by Gillian McDunn Helping to care for her beloved Shouting at the Rain special-needs brother in the years by Lynda Mullaly Hunt after their father's passing, Cat suffers Struggling with her unconventional a personal setback that prompts her home life and growing distance from to visit the home of the grandparents a friend, a young meteorology she has never met, where she finds enthusiast leans on the support of renewal in simply being able to be a her Cape Cod neighbors and bonds kid. with a tragedy-marked newcomer who helps her redefine her The Button War: A tale of perspectives on family. the Great War by Avi Cosmo: Space Aces 1 Running with a group of friends who by Ian Flynn entertain themselves by coming up Cosmo and his crew of Martians with increasingly risky dares, 12-year- embark on a series of adventures old Patryk watches as their tiny Polish throughout the solar system. village is occupied by a series of hostile Graphic Novel nations throughout the Great War, before his friends begin looting the bodies of soldiers as part of an increasingly dangerous competition.

Kid Normal Merci Suárez Changes by Greg James Gears Murph Cooper, eleven, is out of his by Meg Medina depth when his mother unknowingly Merci Suárez relies on her close, enrolls him in a school for extended family as she goes through superheroes, but his normalcy may many changes during her sixth- be just what is needed to defeat King grade year at Florida's Seaward Nektar. Pines Academy.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Page 2 of 5 Rising 6th Grade • Summer 2019

Speechless Everything Else in the by Adam P. Schmitt Universe Informed that he will be expected to by Tracy Holczer say a few words at his cousin's wake, When Lucy's practical and orderly 13-year-old Jimmy struggles to come father is sent to Vietnam to serve as up with something nice to say about an Army doctor, she is forced to his bullying, destructive cousin before move in with her superstitious and realizing that the words that are truly quirky relatives. She eagerly heard are the ones that matter the anticipates her father's return, only most. to find him a very changed person.

New Kid It Wasn't Me by Jerry Craft by Dana Alison Levy Enrolled in a prestigious private school When Theo's photography project is where he is one of only a few students mysteriously vandalized at school of color, talented seventh-grade artist there are five suspected students Jordan finds himself torn between the who all say, "It wasn't me." Theo just worlds of his Washington Heights wants to forget about the humiliating apartment home and the upscale incident but his favorite teacher is circles of Riverdale Academy. Graphic determined to get to the bottom of it. Novel

The Unsung Hero of Last of the Name by Rosanne Parry Birdsong USA Arriving in 1863 New York City with by Brenda Woods his older sister, 12-year-old Danny Gabriel, twelve, gains new reluctantly pretends to be a girl in perspective when he becomes order to accompany his sister into friends with Meriwether, a World War domestic service and avoid II hero who has recently returned to recruitment into the army. the unwelcoming Jim Crow South.

Orange for the Sunsets Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A by Tina Athaide Graphic Novel Two 12-year-old best friends who by Rey Terciero have never cared about their An adaptation of the coming-of-age differences are torn apart by novel Little Women features the four president Idi Amin's decision to March sisters as they struggle with expel Indians from 1972 Uganda, school woes, health issues, boy an order that is complicated by an troubles, and personal identity. educational opportunity and Graphic novel escalating community unrest.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Page 3 of 5 Rising 6th Grade • Summer 2019

The Neverending Story Code Word Courage by Michael Ende by Kirby Larson Bastian, a lonely boy, steps through In September 1944 eleven-year-old the pages of a book and finds himself Billie lives with her great aunt, Doff, caught up in a dangerous quest in a eagerly waiting her older brother's magical kingdom known as Fantastica. return from boot camp. Leo brings a friend with him, a Navajo named Denny, and the injured dog they have rescued and named Bear. When the two young men go off to war, Bear The Not-So-Boring becomes the thread that ties them all together. Letters of Private Nobody by Matthew Landis The Remarkable Journey Seventh grader Oliver, a Civil War buff, of Coyote Sunrise is partnered with two misfits, Ella, who by Dan Gemeinhart is on the verge of failing all her Living on the road in an old school classes, and Kevin, who is Oliver's bus with her dad after losing her lunch companion--to create a mother and sisters, 12-year-old documentary about the wartime Coyote devises an elaborate plan to experience of the Civil War. convince her father to make a first trip home to Washington state in five years, a journey Sheets marked by an eclectic group of passengers they meet by Brenna Thummler along the way. When Marjorie, a practical teen in charge of her family's laundry Pay attention, Carter business, encounters Wendell, a Jones ghost seeking purpose in the by Gary D Schmidt forbidden human world, the pair When a mysterious English butler must find a solution to endell'W s appears one morning and stays to hauntings that are causing chaos in help his troubled family, young Carter Marjorie's life. Graphic novel struggles to navigate middle school under the watch of the resented Where the Watermelons newcomer, who promotes challenging Grow notions of decorum. by Cindy Baldwin Twelve-year-old Della Kelly of Squint Maryville, North Carolina, tries to by Chad Morris come to terms with her mother's Flint desperately wants to win a comic mental illness while her father book art contest so that he and his struggles to save the farm from a new friend McKell will be better record-breaking drought. accepted at middle school. Unfortunately, he's struggling to get the big prize before he goes blind from his eye disease.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted.Book Title Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.by Book Author Book Annotation Rising 6th Grade Page 4 of 5 Rising 6th Grade • Summer 2019 The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman The Button War: A tale of Facing daunting prospects on the streets the Great War of Chennai, two runaway sisters finds by Avi shelter and friendship on an abandoned Running with a group of friends who bridge with two homeless boys before entertain themselves by coming up with an illness forces them to choose increasingly risky dares, 12-year-old between survival and freedom. Patryk watches as their tiny Polish village is occupied by a series of hostile nations Ghost boys throughout the Great War, before his friends begin by Jewell Parker Rhodes looting the bodies of soldiers as part of an increasingly After seventh-grader Jerome is shot by a dangerous competition. white police officer, he observes the aftermath of his death and meets the The Dog Who Saved the ghosts of other fallen black boys including historical figure Emmett Till. Universe by Ross Welford When eleven-year-old Georgie's beloved Charlie Hernández & the dog, Mr. Mash gets sick with a deadly League of Shadows virus that threatens the life of every dog by Ryan Calejo in the country, she must embark on a Charlie disregards his abuela's stories desperate quest, with the help of an about monsters before he undergoes an eccentric scientist, to save every dog on earth, and astonishing transformation and maybe for all of humanity. discovers his heritage as a protector of the Land of the Living. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy Genesis Begins Again by Barry Deutsch by Alicia D. Williams A graphic-novel adaptation of the best- A 13-year-old girl who is so oppressed by selling series Wings of Fire follows the low self-esteem that she keeps a list of selection of Clay as one of a team of the things she hates about herself must dragonets destined to fulfill a overcome internalized racism and a mysterious prophecy and end the war verbally abusive family to learn to love among the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. Two books as of herself. 2019. Book three will be released October 2019: The Hidden Kingdom. The Boy at the Back of the Class The Night Diary by Onjali Q. Raúf by Veera Hiranandani There used to be an empty chair at the Shy twelve-year-old Nisha, forced to flee back of my class, but now a new her home with her Hindu family during boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. The other the 1947 partition of India, tries to find students find him strange. Turns out, her voice and make sense of the world Ahmet is a refugee who's run away from falling apart around her by writing to a war. Luckily, a group of friends decide to come up with her deceased Muslim mother in the a plan to make friends with him. pages of her diary.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Page 5 of 5 Rising 5/6 Nonfiction • Summer 2019

We Are Displaced: My STEAM Labs for Kids: 52 Journey and Stories from Creative Hands-On Refugee Girls Around the Projects Using Science, World Technology, Engineering, by Malala Yousafzai Art, and Math Introduces displaced people from by Liz Lee Heinecke around the world to give faces to Presents experiments and activities, the statistics and news stories we all see and hear. with explanations of the STEAM behind the fun, and offering variations and suggestions for taking them a Stubby the War Dog step or two further. by Ann Bausum Learn about the heroic wartime Spooked!: How a Radio achievements of a World War I Broadcast and "The War mascot who was adopted by a of the Worlds" Sparked soldier as an orphaned pup and who gained military honors and a display the 1938 Invasion of in the Smithsonian Institution for his America brave service behind enemy lines. by Gail Jarrow Describes the panic induced when The Secrets of listeners believed Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" to be news of an Tutankhamun: Egypt's Boy alien invasion, discussing the context in which the King and His Incredible broadcast was aired and why it was so convincing. Tomb by Patricia Cleveland-Peck Proud: Living My American A compelling look at the life and Dream legacy of the famed boy king, whose by Ibtihaj Muhammad fully intact tomb gave a stunning and At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ibtihaj undisturbed perspective on ancient Muhammad smashed barriers as the Egyptian culture and uncovered secrets that continue to first American to compete wearing fascinate the world. hijab, and made history as the first Muslim-American woman to medal. Countdown: 2979 Days to She now shares her unforgettable tale the Moon of perseverance and faith. by Suzanne Slade Powerful free verse and stunning The Boy Who Harnessed illustrations tell the true story of the the Wind: Young Readers American effort to land the first man on the Moon. Within 10 years Edition of President John F. Kennedy's by William Kamkwamba announced intention to land on the moon,18 The author details how he ignored astronauts climbed into spaceships, eight rockets naysayers and was able to bring soared into space, and 400,000 people joined Project electricity and running water to his Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality. Malawian village when he built a makeshift windmill out of scrap metal. All books published 2018-2019and unless spare otherwiseparts. noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Nonfiction Page 1 of 3 Rising 5/6 Nonfiction • Summer 2019

Disaster Strikes!: The Most The Playbook: 52 Rules Dangerous Space Missions to Aim, Shoot, and Score of All Time in This Game Called Life by Jeffrey Kluger by Kwame Alexander Disaster Strikes! chronicles 12 historic An inspirational guide on how to failures that have shaped the Russian succeed on the court of life in and American space programs, sharing accordance with the wisdom of insights into the events of each such role models as Nelson disaster as well as the contributions of Mandela, LeBron James and heroic astronauts and cosmonauts. Michelle Obama.

Be the Change: The Future Coming Up Clutch: The Is In Your Hands Greatest Upsets, by Eunice Moyle Comebacks, and Encourages readers to use their Finishes in Sports creativity to make the world a better History place, outlining ten steps to organize by Matt Doeden for civic and community action, Features upsets, comebacks, discussing how to handle conflict, and and clutch performances in providing instructions for craft projects, including sports and recounts the miracle on ice, Lindsey posters, bumper stickers, and buttons. Jacobellis's fall, and Christian Laettner's shot. The Mythology Book Rising Water: The Story of by Georgie Carroll Eighty of the world's greatest myths the Thai Cave Rescue and characters, from the gods of by Marc Aronson Greek mythology to the Norse An account of the incredible true heroes, retold and explained with story of the Wild Board soccer team's engaging text and bold graphics. summer 2018 rescue from a flooded cave in Thailand. The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome: A Handbook Fly Girls: How Five Daring for Time Travelers Women Defied llA Odds and by Jonathan W. Stokes A tongue-in-cheek introduction to Made Aviation History Ancient Rome is presented in the style by Keith O'Brien of a guide for time travelers and From NPR correspondent Keith O' shares insights into culture, law, Brien comes this thrilling Young politics and entertainment, profiling Readers' edition of the untold story famous historical figures while outlining about pioneering women, including recommendations for surviving the era's most Amelia Earhart, who fought to compete significant challenges. against men in the high-stakes national air races of the 1920s and 1930s--and won.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Nonfiction Page 2 of 3 Rising 5/6 Nonfiction • Summer 2019

Robots and Drones: Past, Something Rotten: A Fresh Present, and Future Look at Roadkill by Mairghread Scott by Heather L. Montgomery Presents the history of robotics, from A completely gross and wholly the world's earliest mechanized robots compelling look at the scientific, artistic to modern machines used in the home, and culinary uses of roadkill reveals how in the military, and in space exploration. the author, a wildlife researcher, uses Graphic novel roadkill to do medical studies, while others use it for trophies or even restaurant foods. The Tornado Scientist: Seeing Inside Severe The Beloved World of Sonia Storms Sotomayor by Mary Kay Carson by Sonia Sotomayor A heroic tornadogenesis scientist The first Hispanic Justice of the .S.U who studies how tornadoes form Supreme Court traces her childhood describes her team's work in a Doppler radar truck ambition to become a lawyer and judge, chasing storms to obtain data that may enable life- her battle with juvenile diabetes, the saving discoveries. economic roadblocks that challenged her goals, and the importance of how she learned to Enemy Child: The story of dream big. Norman Mineta, a Boy You Are Awesome Imprisoned in a Japanese by Matthew Syed American Internment Camp If you believe you can't do something, During World War II the chances are you won't try. But what by Andrea Warren if you really could get better at maths, or A biography of Norman Mineta, from sport, or exams? In fact, what if you his internment as a child in Heart Mountain Internment could excel at anything you put your Camp during World War II, through his political career mind to? You Are Awesome can help you including serving in Congress for ten terms during do just that! which time he was instrumental in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Dog Days of History: The Incredible Story of Our Best Dolores Huerta Stands Friends Strong: The Woman Who by Sarah Albee Demanded Justice From ancient times to the present, dogs by Marlene Targ Brill have guarded us, worked with us, This book follows Huerta’s life from the marched off to war with us, and of mining communities of the Southwest to course, cuddled with us on the couch. Throughout the the vineyards and fields of California. As course of human history, this partnership deepened she worked for fair treatment for others, from dogs doing a service into friendship. This book Dolores earned the nation’s highest honors. More tracks our common story from wild wolves in ancient importantly, she found her voice. civilizations to modern-day breeds.

All books published 2018-2019 unless otherwise noted. Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Nonfiction Page 3 of 3 Rising 5/6 Series & Sequels • Summer 2019 Escape to the Mesa Kiranmala and the Kingdom by Stacy Hinojosa Beyond: Game of Stars A follow-up to Guardians of the Taiga by Sayantani DasGupta finds Stacy and her Arctic wolves A sequel to The Serpent's Secret finds driven by humans from their forest Kiranmala returning to her homeland to home into an unknown desert, where discover a fraying society under the the pack struggles against Mesa tyrannical rule of an awful game show canyons, snakes and coyotes. First that puts both friends and enemies in book: Guardians of the Taiga. Two danger. First book: Serpent's Secret. Two books as of books as of 2019. 2019.

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Funjungle: Lion Down Flashback by Stuart Gibbs by Shannon Messenger When a lion is falsely accused of killing When the Neverseen reveal that she is an inflammatory adior host's famous far more vulnerable than she imagined, dog, FunJungle resident sleuth Teddy Sophie begins training to fight while Fitzroy and Summer help a renegade evaluating a risky choice that could help animal activist prove the great cat's a beloved friend. First book: Keeper of innocence to prevent it from being the Lost Cities. Seven books as of 2019. hunted. First book: Belly Up. Four books as of 2019. Book eight will be released November 2019. Liberty Falls Ultimate Football Heroes Elementary: Field Tripped by Matt Oldfield & omT Oldfield by Allan Woodrow Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of The fifth graders of Liberty Falls biographies telling the life stories of the Elementary have a reputation for trouble, biggest and best footballers in the world but they still have a field trip to the and their incredible journeys from mansion of Edward Minks. While there, childhood fan to super-star professional they search for secret inventions that are player. Written in fast-paced, action- rumored to be hidden in the mansion--but they find packed style, these books are perfect to that they are not the only ones searching, and somehow collect and share. this class of trouble-makers must work together to thwart the thieves. First book: Class Dismissed. Three Death in the Spotlight books as of 2019. by Robin Stevens Fresh from their adventure in Hong Nathan Hale's Hazardous Kong, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells are Tales: Lafayette!: A off to the Rue Theatre in London to Revolutionary War Tale face an entirely new challenge: acting. by Nathan Hale But danger has a nasty habit of Designed for particular appeal to young catching up with the Detective Society, Hamilton fans, a lively introduction to and it soon becomes clear that there is the French nobleman who helped save trouble afoot at the Rue. First book: Murder Most the American Revolution traces his rise from an orphan Unladylike. Seven books as of 2019. Book eight will be to a major contributor to history. First book: One Dead released August 8, 2019. Spy. Eight books as of 2019.

Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Series & Sequels Page 1 of 3 Rising 5/6 Series & Sequels • Summer 2019

Mo & Dale Mystery: The Law Spy School: British Invasion of Finders Keepers by Stuart Gibbs by Sheila Turnage Stranded in Mexico during his effort to A conclusion to the popular series finds capture the leaders of SPYDER, 13-year- Tupelo Landing affected yb pirate fever old Ben Ripley rallies his spy school when an opportunistic treasure hunter friends and England's MI6 for a rogue arrives with claims about Blackbeard's mission to track down the enigmatic Mr. local hoard, prompting the Desperado E. First book: Spy School. Seven books as Detectives to investigate clues about of 2019. Mo's long-lost Upstream Mother. First book: Three Times Lucky. Four books as of 2019. The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Chupacabras of the Río Endling: The First Grande by Katherine Applegate by Adam Gidwitz This sequel to the best-selling novel, Dispatched by Professor Fauna to The Last, finds Byx and her Laredo on the U.S.-Mexico border, Elliot companions traveling a perilous path and Uchenna team up with a brilliant out of Nedarra into the snow-covered Mexican doctor, her curandero husband mountains of Dreyland in search of and their kids to help heal a divided community and more dairnes before becoming unlikely protect the regional Chupacabras. First book: The leaders in a simmering rebellion. First Creature of the Pines. Four books as of 2019. Book: The Last. Two books as of 2019. Max Einstein: The Genius The Hive Queen Experiment by Tui Sutherland by James Patterson Rendered fugitives after stealing the Meet 12-year-old orphan Max Einstein, Book of Clearsight, the SilkWings race to a genius hacker, inventor, and chess prevent a LeafWing attack while Cricket player who is recruited into a struggles to stay hidden and uncover mysterious organization that uses the queen's deadly secret. First book: science to solve world problems. Book The Dragonet Prophecy. Twelve books two will be released September 2019: as of 2019. Max Einstein: Rebels with a Cause.

Emily Windsnap and the Bluecrowne: A Greenglass Pirate Prince House Story by Liz Kessler by Kate Milford When the cruise ship taking her home is Forced to move to the safety of dry commandeered by pirates who take land with her stepmother, Lucy Aaron captive, Emily finds herself on a Bluecrowne misses her life aboard her rescue mission that forces her to father's warship before her fighting choose between her mermaid identity instincts are challenged by nefarious and a swashbuckling life alongside the pirate king's son. strangers who target her younger First book: The Tale of Emily Windsnap. Eight books as of brother. First Book: Greenglass House. Three books as of 2019. 2019.

Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Series & Sequels Page 2 of 3 Rising 5/6 Series & Sequels • Summer 2019

Lost in the Antarctic: The Magic Misfits: The Second Doomed Voyage of the Story Endurance by Neil Patrick Harris by Tod Olson Leila and the other Magic Misfits have Chronicles Ernest Shackleton's the opportunity to perform with a expedition to the Antarctic aboard the famous stage psychic known as ship Endurance, detailing the harsh Madame Esmeralda, who may hold conditions the crew suffered on the secrets to Leila's past. First book: The frozen continent. First book: Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not Magic Misfits. Book three will be a Drop to Drink. Four books as of 2019. released September 2019: Magic Misfits: The Minor Third. The Storm Runner by Jennifer Cervantes Pages & Co.: Tilly and the To prevent the Mayan gods from Bookwanderers battling each other and destroying the by Anna James world, thirteen-year-old Zane must Eleven-year-old Tilly Pages, who has unravel an ancient prophecy, stop an found comfort in her grandparents' evil god, and discover how the physical bookshop since her mother's disability that makes him reliant on a disappearance, now learns that she cane also connects him to his father can bookwander into any stories, and and his ancestry. Book two will be released September decides to seek her mother. Book two 2019: The Fire Keeper. will be released September 2019: Pages & Co.: Tilly and the Lost Fairytales. The Hyena Scientist by Sy Montgomery Pandava: Aru Shah and A myth-busting latest entry in the the Song of Death critically acclaimed series draws on by Roshani Chokshi the groundbreaking research of an Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the award-winning female scientist and truth to fit in at her private school, but shares engaging discussions about the hyena's when she is dared to prove an ancient complexities, social nature and high intelligence. Series: lamp is cursed, she inadvertently Scientists in the Field frees an ancient demon. First book: Aru Shah and the End of Time. Two The Train to Impossible books as of 2019. Places: A Cursed Delivery by P. G. Bell Wing & Claw: Beast of Stone When the Impossible Postal Express by Linda Sue Park comes roaring through her living room, Apothecary Raffa and his agtagr band scientifically minded Suzy Smith sneaks of allies prepare to battle the heartless on board only to be declared the train's Chancellor's armies, a conflict he fears Deputy Post Master, a position that will cause untold suffering for the requires her to make a first delivery to a animals being forced to fight. First power-hungry villainess. Book two will be released book: Forest of Wonders. Three books October 2019: The Great Brain Robbery. as of 2019.

Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 5/6 Series and Sequels Page 3 of 3 Rising 6th Grade Classics & Old Favorites • Summer 2019

Skellig (1999) Adam of the Road (1962) by David Almond by Elizabeth Gray Vining Two lonely children form a bond The adventures of eleven-year-old when they secretly take on the care Adam as he travels the open roads of of a crusty, otherworldly old man thirteenth-century England searching living in a ramshackle garage. A for his missing father, a minstrel, and mystical story of love and his stolen red spaniel, Nick. friendship.

Where the Lilies Bloom King of the Wind: The (1969) Story of the Godolphin by Vera and Bill Cleaver Arabian (1949) In the Great Smoky Mountains, a by Marguerite Henry fourteen-year-old girl struggles to Sham and the stable boy Agba travel keep her family together after their from Morocco to France to England father dies. where, at last, Sham's majesty is recognized and he becomes the "Godolphin Arabian," ancestor of the most superior Thoroughbred horses.

A Wrinkle in Time (1962) P.S. Longer Letter Later by Madeleine L'Engle (1998) Meg and her friends become by Paula Danziger involved with unearthly strangers Twelve-year-old best friends and a search for Meg's father, who Elizabeth and Tara continue their has disappeared while engaged in friendship through letter-writing secret work for the government. after Tara's family moves to another state. *Also a series

Old Yeller (1956) Shadow Spinner (1998) by Fred Gipson by Susan Fletcher In the rugged landscape of early When Marjan, a thirteen-year-old frontier Texas, fourteen-year-old crippled girl, joins the Sultan's harem Travis is faced with taking over his in ancient Persia, she gathers for family's farm and making a painful, Shahrazad the stories which will important decision. save the queen's life

Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Page 1 of 2 Rising 6th Grade Classics & Old Favorites • Summer 2018

Kensuke's Kingdom White Fang (1906) (1999) by Jack London by Michael Morpurgo The adventures in the northern When Michael is swept off his wilderness of a dog who is part wolf family's yacht, he washes up on a and how he comes to make his desert island, where he struggles to peace with man. survive--until he finds he is not alone.

Freak the Mighty (1993) Number the Stars (1989) by W. R. Philbrick by Lois Lowry At the beginning of eighth grade, In 1943, during the German learning disabled Max and his new occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old friend Freak, whose birth defect has Annemarie learns how to be brave affected his body but not his and courageous when she helps brilliant mind, find that when they shelter her Jewish friend from the combine forces they make a Nazis. powerful team.

Holes (1998) by Louis Sachar As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his firsteal r friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

Hatchet (1998) by Gary Paulsen After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce. *Also a series

Summaries written by publishers with modifications as needed.

Rising 6th Grade Classics Page 2 of 2